COVER STORY· Torch:U.S. · Summer 2017
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Sheep were first domesticated in Mesopotamia, the second animal to be domesticated after goats. Since then, sheep have played a large part in almost every society from the Greeks selectively breeding to George Washington raising them at Mount Vernon. Sheep were some of the most important livestock in the ancient world citing their importance not only in Vergil and Homer but also in both the old and new testament of the Bible.
The Greeks and Romans both bred sheep selectively for soft and whiteness of wool. Some of these farms would have up to 10,000 sheep. Pliny, the Elder in his The Natural History of Rome, wrote the most about the sheep of Rome. Citing the many ways that the various part of the sheep are used “Sheep are useful for offerings to the gods, and for their fleeces. Male lambs are produced when the north wind is blowing, while the south wind produces females. Thunder causes pregnant sheep to miscarry if they are alone, but not if they are in a flock” Natural History, Book 8, 72-75. Sheep were not only used in religious sacrifices, but also in clothing. Togas were made from usually 12-20 of white wool in the spirit of this the Romans invented the practice of “blanketing sheep” which the is when a shepherd puts a coat over the sheep’s fleece for it to retain the pristine white. A popular
practice until the invention of bleach in the late 1700’s; however, it is still popular with show sheep.
Wool was just the beginning of the many uses of the sheep. There was sheep milk, cheese, and butter. It is a popular belief that sheep dairy was more popular than cow dairy. Mostly because sheep are less picky eaters and are easier to farm. This is not only because they are smaller but also because sheep were able to graze on hills and rocky pastures due to their unique hooves. Sheep leather is easier and took less heat to tan than cow hides, so sheep leather became more popular for a short time. The popularity faded because sheep leather dries out and tears easier than cowhide.
However, the popularity of wool hasn’t faded. To this day sheep play a major role in society from scientific research to our favorite sweater. Next time you see a sheep,
A show sheep sporting a chic coat
P.C: Not Just Horses
Greek Bronze Sheep used as a grave marker
P.C. Metropolitan Museum